Bates heads to Seattle, so who takes the OC job? Matt Bowen
Who’s going to run the offense next season in Chicago, and, more importantly, who’s going to work with Jay Cutler, turn this team around and show us why the quarterback was worth the mega-deal that sent him to the Bears last off-season?
Lots to talk about when it comes to the Bears, Lovie Smith, GM Jerry Angelo and down the line.
But besides the fact that Chicago has to find a new coordinator who will work with Cutler, tailor the offense to the quarterback’s abilities and find a common ground when we talk about game plans, schemes, the type of throws Jay likes to make, etc., there still has to be a name.
Talking to people within the league and sources close to the Bears, the overwhelming assessment is that coaching in Chicago right now is a desperation job.
As in, it might be a one-year rental — complete with a short-term lease.
Let’s remove Cutler from the equation for a moment, because for all the talk about why this coach or that coach would be good for the quarterback — and that’s important — there is still the belief that 2010 will be Lovie’s last as head coach.
And that’s why we see some of the bigger names, people who would be perfect for Cutler and the Bears, moving on to other cities. Think of Charlie Weis going to Kansas City with Todd Haley, or Jeremy Bates (who seemed like the perfect fit just last week) leaving USC and heading north to Seattle with new coach Pete Carroll.
Those are jobs that come with security, and they’re jobs that could provide springboards to the head coaching ranks for Weis and Bates. Their new head coaches aren’t going anywhere soon.
But in Chicago, if you take the job as offensive coordinator, come next January, you could be back on the street — once again looking for work. That’s just the reality of the situation in Chicago.
We’ve heard Mike Martz’s name thrown around for some time now. He has gone on the record as saying he’d be interested in the job. I played for Mike is St. Louis. He is, without a doubt, a brilliant mind when it comes to offensive football at the NFL level, and from my perspective, I think he would be great for Cutler in his development to the elite class of NFL quarterbacks. He coaches hard and he demands a lot from his players — especially the quarterback.
Right now, Martz is on the street, looking for work. So why haven’t the Bears brought him up to Chicago for a formal interview? There’s no red tape to go through, no permission needed from another team. No, he’s a free agent in the coaching ranks, free to sign with any team. But the Bears haven’t shown that much interest in the former Rams head coach. A fallback plan? Yes, that could happen.
But where do the Bears go from here? As the NFP’s Brad Biggs reported Monday night, Chicago was denied permission to speak with Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements about the job.
Hate to say it, but who’s left?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bears go after a young, eager coach in the near future. Someone who’s looking for that opportunity and who’s willing to take a chance that they could be out of work within a year.
It’s a tough situation — one that has the Bears and their fans looking for an answer. And a quarterback who needs a coach.
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This team is falling apart. Everyone knows that it will be a playoff run or bust for Lovie next season, and with that o-line and WRs, it aint going to happen.
Dead end job.
I doubt that Martz will be brought in because of the presence of his former boss, Marinelli, on the defensive side of the ball. Remember, Marinelli fired Martz in Detroit, and the two were noted to not get along all that well. Lovie is tight with Marinelli and isn't going to bring in a guy that is going to cause even more of a problem for him as he coaches for his job.
Jags needs a job - he did well in Green Bay while he was here and okay at Boston College and Tampa until he started annoying some people. Why not? Lovie only has a year left anyway..
Martz has a rep for not protecting his QBs ie; getting his QBs killed. I can easily see why he's not being heavily considered. Sacks allowed is an important measure and Chicago doesn't need Martz 'helping' them in that area.
Matt - another key factor working against Chicago on this matter... the potential of a lockout next year if the CBA matter isn't resolved. Without a new CBA, not only would the OC potentially be unemployed after this year, there may not be other positions available.
Bears Offensive Co-ordinator -------> how about Daryl Bevel who is OC in Minnesota but has NO power under Chilly... really, he is little more than Brett's handler.
Bears Offensive Co-ordinator -------> how about Daryl Bevel who is OC in Minnesota but has NO power under Chilly... really, he is little more than Brett's handler.
JimmySee - you're pretty funny
Why not let Cutler choose his own? Jeez.
LL, Cutler did choose. He lobbied for Bates last year and this year. Bates isn't stupid (supposedly) and followed Carroll to Seattle. If Bates didn't want to coach the Human Interception Machine with attitude, who would?
The Bears had a shot at Bates but none when Pete Carroll latched onto the Seahawks. That makes sense.
But to say the Bears are in desperation mode is nonsense. You think Lovie might be gone in a year if he doesn't make the playoffs? Sure, but most other teams would have dumped him already after three straight non-playoff years. Sure the uncapped year has a lot to do with it - look at J'ville and Carolina keeping their lousy coaches. But the Bears jobs have always been a plum because ownership keeps coaches long past their shelf life.
If the Bears make the playoffs - and who's to say they can't - the new OC, along with the entire staff should have at least another five years to make decent coin. That's the reality of the Bears and why they will always be an attractive work place. Factor in a rabid fan base and plenty of marketing/appearance opportunities and it's as good as it gets for a coach.
Look, there isn't any real competition for coaches this year. The Bears have plenty of time to find the right OC, including from the playoff teams.
I thought I hated Green Bay before, but after hearing that Ted Thompson gave the OK to let Clements talk but McCarthy nixed it, my hatred is reaching all time highs.
Hey Walt, I doubt whether Rod Marinara has much say in this, nor should he. He should shut his pie hole and do what he was brought in to do: improve the front four and the pass rush. He doesn't have time for chit chat. His project is Gaines Adams, not the OC.
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Jan 12, 2010
01:09 PM
I still think Martz is better than some young green horn who can't get through to Cutler. Just get someone Angelo who has some cred.